* AD - This post was written in collaboration with Notino.co.uk
Since becoming a parent, I’ve realised that every single gift I ever gave to new parents before having a baby myself was… well, useless. My intentions were pure, but I had no idea what new parents actually need.
Now that I’ve been through it, I wanted to share a list of gift ideas based on what we were given (and loved!) — plus a few things I picked up in the first few months. These ideas cover every budget, so let’s dive into how to become the best friend a new parent could ask for.
1. Candles & Diffusers
I’m sorry for the TMI, but once your baby starts solids, the smell of nappy changing becomes haunting. Parents might get used to it, but visitors definitely won’t. Having a nice diffuser or candle burning is therefore a must.
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I’m a long-term fan of Bath & Body Works candles (as you have seen here many times), but Yankee Candle or any good quality and stylish wooden diffuser will do the trick.
2. Baby Bodysuits
You can never have too many. Babies are messy - especially as they get older and start solids. Spit-ups, spills, blowouts… you name it. A bundle of soft, practical bodysuits is a gift that will actually get used every day.
3. Tea & Biscuits
This one surprised me. When we first brought our baby home, our friends arrived with a massive box of biscuits and Yorkshire tea. We were grateful but thought, “How will we ever eat all this?”
A week later, in the middle of sleep deprivation, hormonal ups and downs, and general chaos, that tea and those biscuits were our life savers. A warm cuppa and a few shortbread biscuits made everything feel a bit more manageable. It’s still one of the best gifts we received.
4. Food
Even before the baby, my husband and I were efficient cooks — quick meals with our air fryer, grill, or rice cooker. But even with those habits, the newborn days were a blur.
When friends dropped off homemade lasagnas, it was such a relief. We didn’t have to think about dinner, just heat and eat. So if you’re unsure what to bring — bring food. Homemade meals are always appreciated. And if you are not so much of a cook, Just Eat will do just fine.
5. Coffee
Now that our baby is 9 months old, life is more predictable, and daily walks have become part of our routine. Those walks almost always end with coffee from a local café. But being on the maternity pay, it can get quite expensive - I am not one of those people to tell you not to buy a coffee to afford a deposit for a house but I always saw a coffee from a cafe as a treat I would indulge in only occasionally. Not daily. For that reason, coffee shop gift card is something I will be buying for new parents from now on.
6. Gift Cards
Speaking of gift cards, I’m a huge fan. They might not seem personal, but they give parents the freedom to get exactly what they need — whether it’s coffee, baby clothes, or even nappies.
If you want to focus on mum, a massage voucher is gold. All the carrying, bouncing, and feeding can wreck your back, so a professional massage feels like heaven — and a much-needed bit of “me time.”
My advise is not to buy nappies or wipes unless you know the parents’ preferred brand. A gift card lets them choose what works for their baby.
7. Mustela Cleansing Water
Yes, I was influenced by social media — but this product truly works! The French brand Mustela is popular for a reason and their cleansing water cleared my baby’s acne overnight, and now that he’s older (and messier), a quick wipe with it keeps him clean no matter how much food ends up on his face. It’s gentle, smells lovely, and saves countless trips to the sink.
Additionally, you can add some Mustela baby sunscreen or Arnica cream.
When in doubt, think practical, comforting, and low-effort. New parents don’t need fancy gifts — they need things that make daily life easier, cleaner, or calmer. And sometimes, that’s as simple as tea, biscuits, and a big candle.
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